Getting to know Jim Godden

Jim is into his second year as Secretary/Public Officer with CHASA. We had a chat to him to find out more about his passion for hunting and his love for sharing this with his family.

How long have you been a member of CHASA prior to your role as Secretary?

From memory I was an individual member for approximately four years before becoming Secretary; however I have been a member of Barmera Moorook Field & Game for nearly 20 years and have sat on the Executive for 10 of those years (although I did sneak one year off).

How long have you been hunting for?

My first duck hunt was opening day in 1975 at the tender age of 4 and I have been hunting ever since.

Why did you start hunting?

Family tradition. I tagged along behind my dad and as a result have spent a significant part of my life standing in wetlands.

What is your best hunting memory?

Sunrise over Spectackle Lakes in the Riverland with my dad 17 years ago. I didn’t realise at the time that it was going to be my last hunt with him. There is something very powerful about sitting in a hide and watching the sunrise with a person you love. In a world where mental health (and in particular men’s health) is an issue, time spent hunting and connecting with each other cannot be underestimated.

My second-best experience was taking my daughter out for her first duck hunt and seeing her harvest her first wild duck. My grandson has now taken out the mantle of being the youngest at duck opening when he was just 5 months old; it may be a few more years yet before we have him out in a wetland though.

What is your best hunting/cooking memory?

The variety of food you get offered when you walk into a hunter’s camp. I’ve eaten Greek, Italian, Croation and Cypriot to name a few, usually while being handed a beer at the same time. Nunny’s charcoal brazier is getting a workout this year – pork ribs with hot sauce is a go-to favourite.

What do you do when you’re not hunting?

Spending lots of time in wetlands, they are such a dynamic place. I have also recently taken up clay target shooting. But above all else, I enjoy time with my family.